Bought for me by dad and Jean for Christmas 2004, this collection tells the real life stories of a range of 20th century chinese women, some of whom are living lives that sound, to a Western woman, like they are set centuries ago. I can’t remember where I read the review that prompted me to add this book to my Wishlist, but I’m very glad that I did. In each chapter, radio presenter and journalist Xinran, tells us about the listener’s life, and in each case highlights an issue that affects women in China, and elsewhere. In translation, the narrative sounds a little stilted, but the stories are hugely powerful, and provide an amazing insight into female chinese society and the changes China and her people have seen in the 20th century.
Buy it: Amazon link